Finisterre
Finisterre - Overview:
Finisterre is mid way between the 'rias altas' and 'rias baias' (upper and lower bays of Galicia) and is approximately an hour and a half north of the town of Muros, the bay in which it is situated. If you drive to the top of the mountains shadowing Muros, the Cape of Finisterre can be seen in the distance on a clear day.
For the medieval pilgrims, Cabo Finisterre was literally �the end of the earth�. It is the western-most point in all Europe and an ancient holy place for Druids, Romans and Christians. The Costa da Morte (Coast of Death), south of the Cape, has a dramatic landscape of cliffs and sandy beaches. On the south side of the harbour, there are a number of sardinadas (open-air sardine grills) offering a fine assortment of fresh fish and mariscos (shellfish dishes).
Finisterre - Geography:
Finisterre is a very famous fishing port, known throughout Spain, and you will see many signs directing you towards it. The journey to Finisterre is very scenic and you will pass through many coastal villages and see even more beaches and spectacular coastal views. You will also see a significant change in the landscape as the rolling tree lined hills near Muros and Noia become more rocky with more cliffs.
Finisterre, like most Galician coastal towns, is built on an incline which rapidly ascends as you move away from the ocean. There is a small old tower at the tip of the land mass that affords fabulous views out to sea. Finisterre does not pretend to be anything other than what it is, a working fishing town, and if this is what you want to see, then you won't be disappointed. Certainly, if you want to see a town that genuinely represents Galicia�s sea faring past, Finisterre should be your first port of call.
Finisterre - Coast of Death:
In the times of the Romans and Celts, Finisterre (called finis terrae) was considered to be at the farthest edge of the north westerly land mass and was described as 'the end of the earth' (in Latin, 'finis terrae' means 'end of the world'). Finisterre also has a reputation for being on 'the coast of death', since many vessels down the centuries have left the port, never to return.
Finisterre's main claim to fame is its continued activity as a Galician fishing port. If you wander down to its harbour you will see and smell the freshly caught fish laid out to dry.
Finisterre - Out and about:
Travelling to the East of the Galicia, you will discover Noia, a beautiful fishing town, with Romanesque churches such as, Santa Maria a Nova, San Martino and San Francisco. As you cross the 14th Century Pontenafonso Bridge, you will arrive at Muros, a typical small manor town, situated at the mouth of the Estuary and declared as an historical-artistic centre.
Your tour of the 'Coast of Death' can then continue to Carnota, known for having Galicia's longest beach and largest stone granary. Heading to Finisterre, a typical and original small town situated on the 'Promontorium Nerium'. Here you can admire the Romanesque church from the 12th Century, Christ of the golden beard, the Port and Beach.
At Cape Finisterre there are impressive views over the Atlantic Ocean from the lighthouse. Here the locals will intrigue you with mysterious legends of shipwrecks and the notoriously named 'Coast of the Death'. The high mountains that run down to the sea are dotted with extraordinarily beautiful villages that seem to hang right from the mountains themselves. The estuaries are small here, with villages scattered along the shoreline, sheltered from the winter storms by cliffs and mountains.
Due to its historical and geographical significance, the journey to Finisterre is popular with many visiting Galicia, but it also contains a number of surprises because of the countryside and monuments in the area.
Finisterre - Getting there:
Finisterre is just under 50km from Santiago de Compostela, along the C-543 road, on a cape (cabo) on the western coast of Spain. You can also reach Finisterre by bus and the journey time is approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Finisterre - Gastronomy:
In Finisterre you can expect to savour the freshest seafood and shellfish prepared with simplicity and extraordinary good taste. Thick Galician vegetable soups, a wide assortment of rich crusty breads and smoked, smooth and creamy cow's milk cheeses as well as spring fed and mountain raised beef and pork - all stewed and roasted to perfection.
Finisterre - Festivals:
Romaria da Nosa Senora da Barca: On the Sunday following 8 September a 'romeria' celebrates ancient pantheist tradition. Devotees crawl under the stone known as the 'Pedra dos Cadris' or make the moving 'Pedra de Abalar' sway. These traditions are naturally followed by the typical 'xantar', or lunch, which include the fish casseroles for which the area is known.
Romar�a do Santo Cristo de Fisterra: This takes place at the westernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, journey's end for the pilgrims following their visit to the Apostle's tomb. Tradition has it that this is the site of the temple to the setting sun, the 'Ara Solis', and of the Chapel of San Guillermo where fertility rites still take place. Easter has a special importance in Fisterra due to its relation to the sun cult: after the darkness, after the Passion, comes the Pascua Florida (Easter Sunday), when the Resurrection is re-enacted outside the Romanic church of Santa da Area, home to an unusual image known as the 'Santo Cristo da Barba Dourada', worshipped as if the very sun itself had been brought back from the dead.
Finisterre - Activities:
All the estuaries of the north coast, as far as Finisterre are classified as Rias Altas. These occur where the coastline is sharp or precipitous and the estuary has always provided a safe haven for settlements. Recreational sailing has developed considerably in recent years both in the number of those taking part and in the provision of facilities.
Galicia has twenty two harbours with water sports facilities providing some one thousand five hundred moorings. The coastal waters are excellent for diving and different to any other resort in Spain due to the confluence of the Cantabrian sea and the Atlantic ocean which produces a quite specific underwater eco-system.
The easy accessibility of the sea, rivers, lakes and reservoirs means that all kinds of water sports are available - surfing, sailing, underwater fishing, rafting, water-skiing - you name it, its all there. And not forgetting the three thousand miles of rivers for trout and salmon fishing.
Popular places to visit include: Santiago de La Toja, Vigo, La Guardia y Tui, Finisterre y la Costa da Morte, the western Sierras, Ribeira Sacra(Ourense), Rias Altas y la costa Lucense, Los Ancares(Lugo)and the route of the Monasterios de A Coruna.
Finisterre - Our holiday accommodation and service:
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So, if you're looking for an activity holiday walking, cycling and trekking or climbing in Northern Green Spain's mountains and countryside; exploring La Coruna's fascinating Galician villages, rural towns and historic cities such as Santiago de Compostela; following the historic pilgrims' routes; enjoy bird watching, nature, fancy a spot of surfing, swimming, sunbathing or relaxing on great beaches; sampling fabulous Galician seafood or you just want to simply escape the tourism masses with a privately owned apartment, cottage or villa with a pool, call our holiday team today. We can also assist you with flights to La Coruna and Galicia, ferry travel and holiday car hire.
